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Why does Canada resettle refugees?

Canada resettles refugees to save lives and to provide stability to those fleeing persecution with no hope of relief.

Through its refugee protection system, Canada offers a safe haven to:

• people with a well-founded fear of persecution, and
• people who are outside of their country and cannot return because of that fear of persecution.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) leads and coordinates international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its main purpose is to protect the rights and well-being of refugees.

As part of its activities, the UNHCR refers refugees to Canada when resettlement is the best solution. A Canadian visa officer then decides whether they:

• meet the requirements of Canada's Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program, and
• are admissible to Canada.

To be eligible for resettlement, refugees must:

• have left their country of origin or habitual residence, and
• be unable to return because:
  • of a well-founded and objective fear of being persecuted, or
  • they were and continue to be personally and seriously affected by civil war or armed conflict, and
• have no other long-term solution within a reasonable time, and
• eventually be able to establish themselves in Canadian society.

Like all immigrants, refugees selected for resettlement must pass medical, security and criminal screenings.

The Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program allows Canada to continue its proud humanitarian tradition and to help refugees rebuild their lives in Canada.

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